A year ago, Cisco predicted that there would be 50 billion network-connected devices by the year 2020. New estimates are forecasting that some 38.5 billion devices will make up the Internet of Things by 2020. As a new market projected to be worth 1.7 trillion dollars, it is attracting the attention of major industry players.
Microsoft, in particular, seems to be mobilizing a dedicated effort aimed at owning a chunk of this emerging market. After losing the battle for the mobile market to Apple and Google, Microsoft was left with a meager 3% of the mobile market share. Undeterred, Microsoft has said that they want their new Windows 10 on every connected device that comprises the Internet of Things and is taking major steps towards realizing this goal.
Microsoft has repeated time and time again that Windows 10 will be the universal operating system of choice for all kinds of devices, including computers, tablets, and phones as well as the many sensors, controls, and other gadgets that make up the Internet of Things. In order to do this, Windows 10 is being developed and released on previously unexplored platforms. Windows 10 IoT Core, for example, is a pared-down version of the operating system that is tuned to run universal drivers and applications on low-power hardware.
IoT core can run on Raspberry Pi, a $35 dollar computer loved by hobbyists and traditionally paired up with a flavor of Linux. It can also run on Intels MinnowBoard MAX, an Open Source development board aimed at amateur enthusiasts and professionals alike. Doing so provides the ability to execute an embedded Windows application that lets the device interface with other hardware or systems.
Microsofts goal is clearly to make Windows 10 the operating system of choice for all sorts of connected devices. They are giving away Windows 10 IoT Core free for people to experiment and work with and have made it capable of supporting Open Source programming languages. This creates a low barrier for entry and promotes adoption of the technology by professionals. Microsoft is apparently hoping that making it free and easy to develop on will pay off with a wider market share.
Microsofts ambition in the Internet of Things is to make Windows 10 so universal and easy to implement that they claim it will be installed one billion devices over the next two or three years, meaning by late summer 2018. More generally, they want to promote an easier software to design for. Microsoft envisions a world where all connected devices, be it a smartphone or a thermostat, share the same core operating system so that both can be developed for in the same way.
Make no mistake, Microsoft knows they are facing strong competition from other industry giants like Apple and Google. In a market already saturated, Microsoft hopes to leverage a unified experience across phones, computers, tablets, and all other kinds of connected devices.
An app developed for a Windows 10 computer, for example, should be able to work on a phone or a tablet just as well. This seamless meshing between hardware platforms promotes faster and more efficient development of new gadgets. In fact, this alone is a major reason for everyone, even the average user, to upgrade to Windows 10. By taking advantage of the blurred lines between different kinds of hardware, it is possible to enjoy a more streamlined and intuitive experience when apps on one device work exactly the same as apps on a different device.
Industry experts maintain that it is too early to start making projections regarding Microsofts foray into this new market. Still, many agree that Microsoft is making a strong step towards success in the Internet of Things. They are certainly taking a different approach than they did in the past, having learned some lessons from their failure in the mobile market. Some concerns have been raised, including the facts that other vendors already offer all of these features or that developers may just be content to stick with Linux and Raspberry Pi or Arduino.
On the other hand, analysts recognize that Microsoft has a considerable amount of weight to throw around and a sizeable chunk of professionals who already develop for Windows who can take up Windows 10 IoT without a steep learning curve. In addition, the desire to make Windows 10 a seamless operating system that can make applications universal across hardware will promote and encourage programmers to develop for it.
Overall, it has to be admitted the future is always shifting in the world of technology. However, Microsoft has made a major commitment to entering the Internet of Things arena and has spent a lot of effort in that direction already. Given the sheer size of the Windows installed base and development environment, Microsoft will definitely be a strong contender in this emerging market.
